Sample taking apparatus



Oct. 22, 1963 Filed Aug. l0, 1959 M. P. LEBOURG 3,107,730 SAMPLE TAKINGAPPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheel l JAFE'Y VAL VE .SEAL VAL VE :AMPM CHAMBERMaar/ce /D. scu/y INVENTOR.

RM1/mw@ Oct. 22, 1963 M. P'. LEBOURG 3,107,730

SAMPLE TAKING APPARATUS Filed Aug. lO, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fla/ FLOW7'0 JAM/CZE /PECE/l//NG CHAMBER k l; 2.9@ l

IN VEN TOR.

MM5/a Arron/VE y 3,167,739 SAMELE TAKiNG APPARATUS Maurice P. Lebourg,Houston, Tex., assigner to Schiumberger Weil Surveying Corporation,Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Filed Ang. 1), 1959, Ser. No.332,639

1!) Saints. (Si. 16e-109) he present invention relates to iluid samplingapparatus and, more particularly, to new and improved uid samplingapparatus which reduces the possibility of contamination by bore fluidof a formation fluid sample obtained by the liuid sampling apparatus.

Generally, commercial formation uid sample taking apparatus in presentuse employs a pack-off device with a sealing member which is broughtinto engagement with a portion of the sidewall of the bore so as toisolate a portion of the formation from the usual Huid in the bore.Thereafter, a sample-admitting port in the sealing member is opened, forexample, by perforating means to permit fluids from the formation to owvia the sample-admitting port into .a sample-receiving chamber in theapparatus. After a suitable period of time during which the formationfluids are collected, the sample-receiving chamber is closed, Vthepack-o device and sealing member retracted and the apparatus withdrawnfrom the bore so .that a sample may be measured and analyzed. Forfurther details of formation fluid samplers `as above-described,reference may be made -to Patent No. 2,674,313 by Lawrence S. Chambers,or to copending application Serial No. 817,769 by Frank R. Whitten,filed lune 3, 1959, or copending application Serial No. 833,356 by FrankR. Whitten, filed Aug. 12, 1959.

In apparatus, as above described, occasionally it has been found thatthe seal of the sealing member with respect to the formation may fail orthe 4apparatus other-` paratus to prevent or eliminate substantialcontamination or escapement of a collected formation uid sample by borefluid which is both simple and economical to manufacture and reliable inoperation; Y

In accordance with the present invention, a fluid sampling apparatushaving a sample-admitting port `and sample-receiving chamber coupled forfluid communication is provided with a valve in the fluid sample flowline which is held open by the hydrostatic pressure of bore iluid so-that the fluid may ow from between the sample-admitting port and samplechamber uninterrupted as long as the pressure of the borehole fluidsexceeds the pressure of the formation iiuid. Meansare provided to closethe valve and thereby block the fluid conduit whenever the pressure ofthe formationuids approaches the hydrostatic pressure of the bore fluid.Hence, a collected formation fluid sample will be preserved should thebore uid gain access tothe iiuid sample ow line.

The novel features of the present invention are set forth in theappended claims. both .as to its organization and manner of operationtgether with further objects ad advantages thereof may best beunderstood by way of illustration and example taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings in which:

The present invention,

3=,l@7,73 Ifatented Oct. 22, 1963 FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view inelevation of fluid sampling apparatus embodying the present inventionand shown disposed in a borehole;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of operating portions of the iluidsampling apparatus which are arranged for lowering into a Well;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a safety valve embodying the presentinvention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional View of another embodiment of the presentinvention.

In FIG. 1 of the drawings, a Iformation sampling apparatus 10 is showndisposed in a smooth-walled bore 11 such as those found in hard rockformations, the bore 11 traversing earth formations 12. Bore 11 containsa luid 13 to provide a 'hydrostatic control pressure for the well in aconventional manner.

For convenience of explanation and illustration, apparatus 10 is thesame as that described in the copending application Serial No. 833,356,filed Aug. 12, 1959, by Frank R. Whitten and reference may be madethereto for the detailed description. It will be appreciated, however,that the present invention may be employed in other uid samplingapparatuses, for example, las disclosed, in co- Ypending applicationSerial No. 817,769, filed June 3, 1959, by F. Whitten or the aforesaidChambers patent.

Apparatus V10 is suspended in the bore 11 by a cable 14 connected to awinch (not shown) located at the surface fof the earth, the winch andcable serving to lower and raise the apparatus in a customary manner.

Apparatus 10 is provided with spaced sample-admitting means 15, 16 whichare adapted to engage and seal with the portions of the borehead wall.Diametrically opposed from the sample-admitting means 15, 16 is awall-engaging member 17 mounted so as to move between a retractedposit-ion and an extended position, the Lretracted position permittingmovement of the apparatus through the bore wth-ile the extended positionplaces the sampleadrnitting means in sealing engagement with the borewall.

AsV shown in FIG. 2, an expanding and reracting mechanism 18 is providedto manipulate the movement of the wall-engaging member 17 between theextended and retracted positions by means of a piston 19 secured to themember 17 and a hydraulic cylinder 2d. The sampleadmitting means includeseal. pads 21, 22 which have normally-closed central ports 23, 24 (shownin `an open condition). Perforating means (not shown) in the apparatusVare adapted upon detonation to prod-ucc perforating jets extendingalong perforating axes 25, 26 when the sealing pads are inV sealingengagement with portions of the borehole wall to open the ports 23, 24as shown in the drawing. After perforation of the formations by thejets, ,thev formation fluids may flow throughthe ports Z3, 24,"sampleflow conduit 28, safety valve'29, and seal valve 3i) to a' samplechamber 31 which collects the iiuid from the formati-on. A pressureVrecording device 32 may be connected to the sample flow conduit 28 torecord the pressures of the uids in the conduit.. The seal valve 3) isadapted, upon actuation, to close off the sample chamber and therebyentrap a collected fluid sample.

With the above general explanation of sample taking apparatus, referencemay no w be made to FIG. 3 for an understanding of the safety valve 29in' relation to the sample taking apparatus. In FIGS, safety valve 29 isdisposed ybetween an upper conduit section 28a which Vis coupled to thesample-admitting means 15, 16 (FIG. 2) and a lower conduit section 28hwhich is coupled to the sample-receiving chamber 31 (FIG. 2).

Apparatus 10 is generally lcylindrical and valve 29 Vis generallyarranged transversely to the longitudinal axisV of the apparatus. /alve29V includes rst `and second bores 35, 36 of equal diameter separated bysection having a 'bore 37 of smaller diameter, the respective junctionsott the bores forming seats 38, 39 -which are beveled inwardly towardsthe bore 37. Adjoining .bore 36 is an enlarged bore 40 which threadedlyreceives a cap member 4i. Cap member 4l has a tubular extension 42 whichhas an outside diameter less than the diameter of bore iti and an insidediameter similar to the diameter of vbores 35, 36. Conduit 28a opensinto bore 40 while conduit 2317 opens into bore 37, the terminal end ofcap extension 42 being spaced from the junction of bores 36 and 4@ topermit iluidl flow between conduit sections 28a, 28h.

In the valve 29 is a spool-type piston arrangement 44 which includespistons 44a, 44]: rigidly spaced from one another by a member 44C ofsmaller diameter than bore 37, the piston 44a being slidably andsealingly received `by bore 35 Awhile piston 44!) is arranged to beslidably and sealingly received by lbore 36. ln the position of thepiston arrangement 44 shown, piston 4417 is slidably received Within thecap extension 42 while piston 44a abuts seat 3% whenever the pressure ofthe bore iluid exceeds the pressure of the fluid in the conduit 28 by acertain amount.

The adjacent end surfaces of cap` member 4l and piston 44b have alignedand similar cylindrical recesses 47, 43 which receive a spring 49.Spring 49 is normally under compression when the piston arrangement 44is in position show-n to permit fluid ilow through conduit 2S. Extension42 is also provided with iluid access ports 150 suitably located toprevent a iluid lock of piston 44b in extension 42.

From the foregoing described apparatus, it will be apparent that thehydrostatic pressure of the bore iluid acts on one side of the piston44a while the pressure of the formation fluid plus the spring force acton the other side of piston 44a to oppose the hydrostatic pressure.Thus, Whenever the pressure of the iluids in conduit 2S approaches thehydrostatic pressure of the bore fluid, for example, if a seal shouldfail or a substantial leak in the apparatus occur, the fluid pressure inconduit 2S plus the spring force will exceed the hydrostatic bore iluidpressure on 44a so that the piston 44a is moved to the left movingpiston 4411 into bore 36 to abut seat 391 and block the conduit Zlib. AnO ring in piston 44b is arranged to seal with the bore 36 insuring theinterruption of lluid communication between conduit sections 28a, 28h;Piston 4417 'and 'bore 36 of the housing constitute cooperating valveelements such as a valve seat and valve me-mber which are relativelymovable between a position permitting fluid flow through conduitsections 28a, -ZSb and a position blocking fluid ilow between sections28a, ZSb. The piston 44a in bore 35 i-n the housing -is subject to apressure idiierential between the pressure in the well bore `and thepressure in the conduit sections 28a, 23h Piston 44a is coupled topiston 4412 thereby providing relative movement between the valveelements in response to a pressure differential across piston 44a.Hence, iluid sample collected prior to the seal failure or leakage willv pistons. vPistons 6l, 62 and 63 are arranged to be sealbe preserved byvirtue of the fact that valve 291will automatically close whenever thebore fluid gains access` to the flow conduit.

Referring now to FIG. 4, in another embodiment of the present invention,a valve 50 is disposed in an apparatus lil between an Vupper conduit 28alfrom a sample-admitting port and a lower conduit 28h to asample-receiving chamber. Valve 50 includes first and second bores 51,v52 of equal diameter separated by a section having a bore 53 of smallerdiameter, the respective junctions of the bores forming seats 54, 54'.Adjoining bore 52 is an enlarged bore 55 -which is threaded at one endto receive a cap member 56. Adjoining bore 51 is an enlarged threadedbore which threadedly receives a tubular sleeve 58 having a central boreS9 of smaller diameter than lbore 5l. Conduit 28a opens into bore 53while conduit ZSb opens into enlarged bore VS5.

A spool-type piston arrangement 60 includes pistons ingly received bybores 59, Si and 52 respectively. In

the position shown of the piston arrangement oil, piston d3 is disposedwithin enlarged -bore 55 thereby permitting iluid flow `between conduits28a, 2812 while piston 62 in bore 5l abuts seat 54 and piston 6l is Kinbore S9. By construction, pistonrl has a smaller area than piston e2 or63, the pistons 62, 63 having equal areas. The area of piston 6lmultiplied by the hydrostatic pressure of the bore fluid will have agreater value than the area of piston 62 multiplied by the formationiluid pressure so that the valve will stay open while a sample is beingtaken. However, if the bore fluid enters the ilow line, the area ofpiston 62 being larger than the area of piston di will cause the pistonsto shift to the left so that piston 63 enters bore 52 to abut shoulder54 thereby blocking the cond-uit 28h fand preserving the collected lluidsample.

In addition to the foregoing evident advantages, it will also beappreciated that should the seal valve 30 fail to close at the end of atest, the separation of the seal pads 23, 24 from the bore wall willadmit -bore fluid and thus the safety valve will close to preserve thecollected sample from contamination and the sample cannot escape throughconduit 23a.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it is apparent that changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from this invention in its broader aspects, andtherefore the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changesand modiilcations as fall within the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

What is claimed is:

fl. A iluid sample taking apparatus for use in a fluidfilled well boreincluding sample-receiving means for collecting a sample of fluids fromearth formations, sample`` admitting means for isolating a section ofearth formations from the fluids in the well bore to pass formationiluids to said sample-receiving means, and flow conduit means providinga fluid communication path between said sample-receiving means and saidsample-admitting means, the improvement in said apparatus comprising avalve having a valve seat and a valve member disposed in saidconduitmeans and cooperative upon relative movement to move between positionsto open and close said conduit means, said apparatus further having abore extending between said conduit means and the exterior l of saidapparatus, a piston in said bore exposed on one side -to the fluids insaid llow conduit means and exposed on an opposite side to fluidsexterior of said apparatus, said valve member being coupled to saidpiston and resilient means normally urging said valve member towards aposition for closing said conduit means. v

' 2. A iluid sample taking apparatus for use in a fluidlled well boreincluding sample-receiving means for collecting a sample of iluids fromearth formations, sample-admitting means for isolating a section ofearth formations from the fluids in the well bore to pass formationiluids to said sample-receiving means, and ilow conduit means providinga lluid communication path between said sample-receiving means and saidsample-admitting means, the improvement in said apparatus comprising avalve having Ia valve seat and a valve member disposed in to the fluidsin said ilow conduit means and exposed on' an opposite side to lluidsexterior of said apparatus,Y a

lshoulder in said bore limiting movement of saidpiston Y in onedirection when said conduit means is open, said piston being coupled tosaid valve member, and spring means operating on said valve membertending to close said conduit means.

3. A fluid sample taking apparatus for use in Aa fluidlled well boreincluding sample-receiving means for collecting a sample of fluids fromearth formations, sample-adrnitting means for isolating a section ofearth formations from the fluids in the Iwell bore to pass formationfluids to said sample-receiving means, and flow conduit means providinga fluid communication path between said sample-receiving means and saidsample-admitting means, the improvement in said apparatus comprising avalve having a valve seat and a valve member disposed in said conduitmeans and cooperative upon relative movement to move between positionsto open and close said conduit means, said apparatus further having abore extending between said conduit means and the exterior of saidapparatus, said bore having sections of different diameters, a piston insaid bore having sections of different diameters to correspond to saidbore and being exposed on one side to the fluids in said flow conduitmeans and exposed on an opposite side to -uids exterior of saidapparatus, said piston being coupled to said valve member andfunctioning together to operate said valve.

4. A fluid sample taking apparatus for use in a fluidfilled well boreincluding sample-receiving means for collecting a sample of fluids fromearth formations, sampleadmitting means for isolating a section of earthformations from the fluids in the well bore to pass Iformation fluids tosaid sample-receiving means, and conduit means providing a fluidcommunication path between said sample-receiving means and saidsample-admitting means, the improvement in said apparatus comprising avalve having a valve seat and a valve member disposed in said conduitmeans and cooperative -upon relative movement to move between positionsto open or close said conduit means, said apparatus further having abore extending between said conduit means and the exterior of saidapparatus, said bore having sections of different diameters wherein thelarger diameter section is intermediate of the smaller diameter sectionand said conduit means, a piston in said bore having sections of`different diameters to correspond to said bore, said piston beingcoupled to said valve member and functioning together to Operate saidvalve.

5. In a cable supported well tool apparatus for use in a fluid-filledwell bore wherein such apparatus has an internally contained conduit forfluid flow only in said apparatus and wherein the pressure of fluids insaid conduit are different from the pressure of the fluids in the wellbore, the improvement in said apparatus comprising valve means foropening or closing said conduit dependent upon the pressure dilferentialbetween fluids within the conduit and fluids in the well bore, saidvalve means including a valve seat and a valve member disposed in saidconduit and cooperative upon relative movement therebetween to eitheropen or close said conduit, said apparatus further having a boreextending between said conduit and the exterior of said apparatus, apiston in said bore, said piston being coupled to said valve member andfunctioning together to operate said valve, said piston and valvemembers having an effective area in fluid communication with thepressure of fluids in said conduit which is greater than the effectivearea in fluid communication with the yfluid in the well bore.

`6. In a cable supported well tool apparatus for use in a ffuid-illedwell bore wherein such apparatus has an internally contained conduit forfluid flow only in said apparatus and wherein the pressure of fluids insaid conduit are different from the pressure of the fluids in thetherebetween -to eitheropen or close said conduit, said apparatusfurther having a bore extending between said conduit and the exterior ofsaid apparatus, a piston in said bore, said piston being coupled to saidvalve member and functioning together to operate said valve, and aspring operative upon said valve member to urge said valve membertowands a vposition to close said conduit said piston and valve memberhaving a first effective area in fluid communication with the pressureof fluids in said conduit providing a force acting in one direction andhaving a second effective area in fluid communication with the pressureof the fluids in the well bore providing a force acting in 'an oppositedirection, said valve closing whenever the combined force acting in-onedirection and force of said spring exceed the force acting in theopposite direction.

7. Fluid sample-taking apparatus for use in a well bore containing afluid comprising: a support adapted for passage through a borehole andhaving sample-admitting means adapted for sealing engagement with thewall of a borehole, sample-receiving means for receiving a fluid sample,a flow line conduit providing a fluid communication path between saidsample-admitting means and said sample-receiving means, and a valvehaving relatively movable valve elements operable to permit or blockfluid flow through said flow -line conduit and including differentialpressure-responsive means, and means providing a pressure communicationpath between said differential pressure-responsive means and theexterior of said support and :between said differentialpressure-responsive means and said flow line conduit whereby a pressuredifferential across said differential pressure-responsive means controlsthe operative condition of said valve.

8. Fluid sample-taking apparatus for use in a well bore containing afluid comprising: a support adapted for passage through a borehole andhaving Isample-admitting means adapted for sealing engagement with thewall. of a borehole, sample-receiving means for receiving a fluidsample, and a flow line conduit providing a fluid communication pathbetween said sample-admittin-g means and said sample-receiving means; avalve including relatively movable valve elements carried b-y saidsupport arranged to close or open said flow line conduit and controlfluid flow therethrough, and slidable piston means in a cylinder in saidsupport, said cylinder extending on one side of said piston means to theexterior of said support and extending on the other side of said pistonmeans to said flow line conduit, the effective pressure area to the oneside of said piston means being greater than the effective area to theother side of said piston means so that a pressure differential betweenthe fluids in the well bore and the fluids in said flow line conduitacting on said piston means and valve elements effects an operation ofsaid valve.

9. Fluid sample-taking apparatus for use in a well bore containing afluid comprising: a support adapted for passage through a borehole andhaving sample-admitting means adapted for sealin-g engagement with thewall of a borehole, sample-receiving means for receiving a fluid sample,and a flow line conduit providing a fluid comrnnnication path betweensaid sample-admitting means and -said sample-receiving means; a valve`including relatively movable valve elements carried by said supportarranged to close or open said flow line conduit and control fluid flowtherethrough, and slidable piston means in a cylinder in said support,said cylinder extending on one side of said piston means to the exteriorof said support and extending on the other side of said pis-ton means tosaid flow line conduit whereby effective pressure areas are provided onopposite sides of said piston means, and spring means acting on saidpiston means and one valve element for normally urging said one valveelement toward a position closing said flow line conduit so that whenthe force of said spring combined wit-h the force provided by the fluidsin the flow line acting on one of said pressure yareas exceeds the forceprovided by the uids in the Well bore acting on the remaining pressurearea, the valve will close.

10. 1n a cable-supported Well tool apparatus for use in a fluid-filledWell bore wherein such apparatus has an internally-contained conduit forHuid iiow only in said apparatus and wherein the pressure of uids insaid com duit are different from the pressure of the fluid in the Wellbore exterior of said apparatus, the improvement in said apparatuscomprising a valve for said conduitrhaving Valve elements arranged 4forrelative movement to` open or close said conduit relative to uid flowtherethrough and including differential pressure-responsive means, saiddifferential pressure-responsive means including a piston 8 slidablyreceived in a cyiinder, said cylinder extending on one side of saidpiston to the exterior of the apparatus and extending on an oppositeside of said piston to said conduit whereby a pressure differentialacross said differential pressure-responsive means controls theoperative condition of said valve.

Y References Cited in the iile of this patent UNTTED STATES PATENTS2,612,346 Nelson Sept. 30, 1952 2,718,265 Conrad Sept. 20', 19552,846,015 Pittman Aug. 5,'1958 2,847,074 Maly et al Aug. 12, 1958

5. IN A CABLE SUPPORTED WELL TOOL APPARATUS FOR USE IN A FLUID-FILLEDWELL BORE WHEREIN SUCH APPARATUS HAS AN INTERNALLY CONTAINED CONDUIT FORFLUID FLOW ONLY IN SAID APPARATUS AND WHEREIN THE PRESSURE OF FLUIDS INSAID CONDUIT ARE DIFFERENT FROM THE PRESSURE OF THE FLUIDS IN THE WELLBORE, THE IMPROVEMENT IN SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING VALVE MEANS FOROPENING OR CLOSING SAID CONDUIT DEPENDEND UPON THE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIALBETWEEN FLUIDS WITHIN THE CONDUIT AND FLUIDS IN THE WELL BORE, SAIDVALVE MEANS INCLUDING A VALVE SEAT AND A VALVE MEMBER DISPOSED IN SAIDCONDUIT AND COOPERATIVE UPON RELATIVE MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN TO EITHEROPEN OR CLOSE SAID CONDUIT, SAID APPARATUS FURTHER HAVING A BOREEXTENDING BETWEEN SAID